Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA–The second of two men charged with sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy in Brookhaven has been convicted and sentenced to two life sentences, plus 29 years in prison.   Jurors returned guilty verdicts on Friday, April 29, 2022, against Kelvin Jermain Armstrong, 43, on charges of Aggravated Child Molestation (two counts), Child Molestation, and Reckless Conduct.   The charges against Armstrong and Co-Defendant Kevin Walker, 51, stem from an incident on Jan. 29, 2018.  According to the investigation, the victim was walking home after missing his school bus when he encountered Defendant Walker, who then lured the child into…

The DeKalb County Board of Education will hold the following meeting on Monday, May 9, 2022, in the J. David Williamson Board Room, Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex, 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083. BOARD MEETING 11:30am       Executive Session for the purpose of discussing permitted matters and Work Session 5:45pm         Community Input Session and Business Meeting The meeting agenda is attached and can be accessed online by going to: www.dekalbschoolsga.org, click on Leadership, go to Simbli (formally known as eBoard) Home Page and click on the date for the meeting agenda/information.  The meeting can be viewed at…

CONYERS, GA– In appreciation of the extraordinary dedication of Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) teachers and staff and as part of recruitment and retention efforts, Superintendent Terry Oatts recently announced a proposed increase for teachers and staff. Rockdale is raising the teacher pay scale by $4,000 and giving a step increase to all employees as well as reinstatement of the Alternative Retirement contribution and signing bonuses for teaching and key classified positions. In a message to employees, Oatts said, “As we formally celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, I wanted to send a note of thanks to our teachers and all…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston today announced a conviction by jury trial in the murder case against a Scottdale man accused of shooting and killing a man during a dispute over a stolen phone. Jurors returned guilty verdicts against 20-year-old Jaquez Emmanuel Cooper, 20, on charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony in connection with the shooting death of Rene Betancourt Jr., 18. DeKalb Superior Court Judge Gregory A. Adams sentenced Cooper on Monday, May 2 to life in prison plus 5 years to…

ATLANTA –State Rep. Doreen Carter has been named Legislator of the Year by the Georgia Association of Educators (GAE). The association presented the award on May 1 during its annual gala.  Carter said she was surprised and honored to receive the award.   “Being the daughter of a teacher’s aide, this award means more to me than you would ever know. I watched my mother work tirelessly in the classroom for children and families, and with that same determination, I wanted to work on behalf of children, teachers, families, and all the great people in my district and this…

DECATUR, GA– Recent reports from frantic citizens indicate that phone scammers have re-surfaced in the metro area. Callers are posing as DeKalb County Sheriff’s deputies or other employees of the agency. The familiar scam threatens innocent victims with intimidating threats of being arrested on a warrant – that does not exist – or for not appearing to serve jury duty. Then the scammer offers to help the victim avoid arrest by paying a fee, generally through prepaid money cards. “You are being targeted by a criminal,” warns Chief Deputy Randy Akies. “Just hang up. Do not engage in conversation…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—More than 1,000 Rockdale County voters have cast ballots since early voting began on Monday, May 2 , elections officials reported. As of Wednesday, May 4, a total of 1,294 residents had cast ballots, Rockdale Supervisor of Elections Cynthia Willingham reported.  On the first day of the early voting period, 621 ballots were reported as cast, Willingham said. “We have a long way to go, but I think what we’ve seen is that the numbers are growing. I think people are coming out because they want to have a voice in who they choose to represent them…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful (KCRB) is hosting an Electronics Recycling & Paper Shredding event for Rockdale residents and business owners on June 4, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., in the parking lot at 1400 Parker Road, Conyers. The free, half-day event will provide the public a place to safely discard and recycle old documents and electronics, regardless of working condition. There is a maximum of four banker boxes per vehicle allowed for paper shredding.  Participants must provide photo ID as proof of an address in the County for both, shredding and recycling. Professional electronics recycling and paper shredding companies will securely handle all items…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the murder case against a Lithonia man accused of killing a man, then dumping his body in a river to hide the death.   Jurors returned guilty verdicts on May 2, 2022, against 36-year-old Rondricques Brundage on charges of Felony Murder, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony and Concealing the Death of Another, in connection with the shooting death of 34-year-old Rodrell Matthews.   Matthews was reported missing by his family on July 13,…